No fatalities

15 Nov 2015: CESSNA 172 L — Aims Community College — Greeley, CO

Greeley, CO, United States

On 15 Nov 2015, a CESSNA 172 L operated by Aims Community College was involved in an aviation accident near Greeley, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot of the following airplane failed to maintain adequate spacing during the taxi to the runway, resulting in a collision with the lead airplane. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper airplane collided with a Cessna while taxiing. The Piper pilot, using S-turns due to reduced forward visibility, lost sight of the Cessna and applied the right brake abruptly, causing the left wing to strike the Cessna's rudder.

Incident Details

A Piper airplane equipped with a tailwheel and a tandem cockpit configuration was being operated from the rear seat by the pilot. During taxi to the runway, the pilot reported that forward visibility was diminished by the airplane's nose, necessitating the use of "S" turns to clear the area ahead. A Cessna airplane was also taxiing ahead of the Piper. Both aircraft momentarily held on the taxiway to monitor and give way to arriving and departing traffic. The Cessna then moved forward, and the Piper followed. While entering an S-turn, the Piper pilot lost sight of the Cessna. To avoid a collision, the pilot abruptly applied the right brake, causing the Piper's left wing to impact the Cessna's rudder.

Damage

The Cessna sustained substantial damage to its rudder, while the Piper sustained minor damage to its left wing. Both pilots shut down their airplanes, assessed the damage, and exchanged information.

Pilot Reports

The Piper pilot reported no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. The Cessna pilot reported that during taxi, the Piper struck the Cessna from behind. The Cessna pilot also stated there were no mechanical failures or anomalies.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot of other aircraftPilot

Other contributing factors

Ability to respond/compensateDirectional control — Not attained/maintained